Study Questions:

1. How does the Lord view sacrifices when we are disobedient? (Isaiah 66:3)

2. How did Hezekiah respond to God’s rebuke and sentence after the visit of the Babylonians? (2 Kings 20:16-19)

Commentary and Reflection:

The Jews returning from Babylonian exile were reminded that, while rebuilding the temple was important, it was far more vital to recognize and maintain a relationship of faith and obedience with the true God. More significant than rituals and ceremonies of worship is having a humble and receptive spirit before Him (verses 1, 2).

When the spirit is not humble before the Lord, religious ceremonies become detestable in His eyes:
“He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood; he who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.” (verse 3)

The human heart naturally tends toward sin, often seeking to follow religion in its own way, attempting to fulfill its perceived needs with rituals. It tends to follow popular forms of religion, even when they deviate from God’s instructions. Following one’s own heart and desires turns worship and offerings into an abomination (verse 3).

God calls us and speaks to us; we must be willing to listen to His voice and sensitive to His call. For God’s people, His Word is supreme—this is what identifies them as His own (verse 4).

Once again, the day of the Lord is announced: a day of final judgment, fire, and destruction for idolaters and the disobedient. Everyone will have to stand before Him (verses 15, 16).
“Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,” says the Lord. (verse 17). Even among His people, those who are unfaithful will share in the punishment of the wicked.

“Many times, those gardens and groves were the settings for cruel and immoral religious ceremonies. Frequently, the Hebrews imitated the pagans in their practice of worshiping in such places (Isaiah 1:29; 65:3-4; cf. 1 Kings 14:23; 15:13; 2 Kings 16:3-4; 17:9-11; 18:4), although God had commanded them to destroy these sites (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5).” — Adventist Bible Commentary, Isaiah 66:17

On the day of the Lord’s great intervention on earth, both Jews and Gentiles from all nations will come to worship Him. There will be no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. All will have access to the temple and be able to worship Him. They will come from Tarshish (Spain), Put (Africa), and Lud (Mesopotamia) (verses 18-21).

“For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 66:22, 23).

What a beautiful prophecy and promise! The redeemed will witness God’s judgment upon the unrepentant.

Verse 24 speaks of the permanence and finality of judgment. There will be no second chances; the judgment is final. To express this idea, Isaiah mentions the worm that does not die and the fire that is not quenched. These are figures of speech meant to convey this concept.

The account in 2 Kings 20 parallels Isaiah 38-39 and 2 Chronicles 32. Hezekiah, a just and prudent king, made the mistake of enthusiastically receiving and hosting the Babylonian envoys. Regarding this, the Adventist Bible Commentary notes:
“No doubt Hezekiah felt flattered by the attention from the ‘king of Babylon.’ By showing the Babylonian envoys his treasures and revealing his resources, he offered bait to their greed. These foreigners would return within 50 years to seize these treasures and take them to Babylon.” — Adventist Bible Commentary, 2 Kings 20:13

The susceptibility to flattery is a weakness for everyone. The flattery of the visitors was stronger than Hezekiah’s prudence. Criticize him at your own risk.

Then, Hezekiah’s response to the rebuke was selfish: “So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!’ For he thought, ‘Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?’” (2 Kings 20:19).

“This was a natural yet selfish reaction. Hezekiah should have been concerned about the problems his impulsive actions would bring upon his descendants.” — Adventist Bible Commentary, 2 Kings 20:19

Think before casting the first stone—it may become a boomerang. Let us consider this and learn from Hezekiah.

May God grant you a tremendously blessed day. May His peace be with you.